The Filipino-Chinese community in Iloilo City will mark its years of friendship with the Ilonggos as they celebrate the 20th Chinese New Year – ‘the grandest ever’, according to Peter Chan, chairperson of the Chinese New Year 2024 task force.
During the celebration’s press launch, Chan acknowledged the years of relationship between them and the Ilonggos, which resulted in the success of the city and helped create a better living environment for the public.
“Everyone [should] go deeper in the essence of the celebration. The mutual respect and understanding, the active participation of all the agencies and institutions involved. At the end of the show, the thousands of participants would have realized the essence of unity, the true meaning of the Chinese New Year,” he emphasized.
The celebration anchors on the theme “Harmony in Blossom: 20 Years of Cultivating Filipino-Chinese Unity”, which according to Iloilo Festival Foundation Inc. president Ryan Allan Tan speaks of the “time to honor the tradition that bridges both Filipino and Chinese cultures that brought communities together in the spirit of unity and prosperity.”
“We gather, not only to celebrate the year of the Dragon, but also to recognize the significance of this cultural celebration to us, Ilonggos. As we embark on this joyous occasion, we reflect on the rich history of customs and beliefs that have shaped Ilonggo and Tsinoy identities,” Tan added.
Meanwhile, one of the highlights of this year’s celebration is the showing of the Quanzhou string puppetry on Feb. 10-11. They will perform five stories in eight shows at the West Visayas State University cultural center.
“These are not small puppets but are life-size puppets. It’s very exciting because it is the first time for Iloilo to host, and this is for free, sponsored by our counterpart in China through our sister city,” Tan said in a media interview, noting that the group already visited over 50 countries and performed during the opening of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.
While other events prepared during the entire celebration of the Chinese New Year include the Photo Exhibit on Feb. 6 at SM City Iloilo, Grand Parade from Iloilo Provincial Capitol to Iloilo Chinatown on Feb. 9, and the Chinese New Year Mall Show by Iloilo Scholastic Academy, Hua Siong College of Iloilo, and Sun Yat Sen High School Iloilo at SM City Iloilo.
There will also be a grand cultural show, food festival, and fireworks display on Feb. 9 at the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arc at the Plazoleta Gay on Iznart Street.
The Chinese New Year festivity in Iloilo City, according to Chan, is considered as the biggest celebration being held outside Metro Manila. (PIA Iloilo)
